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The (cognitive) future of motor control and learning
1Faculty Sport Sciences and Personality, Business & Law School, Berlin, Germany.
Frontiers in Sports and Active Living
|October 2, 2023
Summary
Dynamic systems theory (DST) and symbol processing accounts (SPA) offer different views on motor control. Neither fully explains motor skill modification, suggesting other factors like emotional support are crucial.
Area of Science:
- Motor control and learning science
- Cognitive science
- Sports psychology
Background:
- Theories of motor control, including dynamic systems theory (DST) and symbol processing accounts (SPA), are debated for their compatibility and explanatory power.
- DST emphasizes mechanistic, deterministic explanations without mental entities, considering system complexity and environment.
- SPA posits that abstract representations of the body and task demands are key to movement control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To critically evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of DST and SPA in explaining motor control and learning.
- To argue that neither DST nor SPA, nor their unification, can comprehensively explain motor control and learning.
- To propose that additional factors, such as emotional support and motivational guidance, should be recognized for their role in motor skill enhancement.
Main Methods:
- This perspective article reviews existing theoretical frameworks.
- It analyzes the core tenets and limitations of DST and SPA.
- It synthesizes arguments regarding the comprehensive understanding of motor control and learning.
Main Results:
- Neither DST nor SPA, nor their attempted unification, provides a complete explanation for motor control and learning.
- DST offers mechanistic, mathematical descriptions of system behavior.
- SPA highlights the importance of abstract mental representations in movement control.
Conclusions:
- A comprehensive understanding of motor control and learning requires considering factors beyond DST and SPA.
- Emotional support and motivational guidance can indirectly improve and preserve motor skills.
- Qualitative research methods focusing on the individual athlete and their context are valuable for applied motor learning settings.
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